Tawny Cam

Orly and the Alien

Saturday, 25 April 2009

I was reviewing the photos captured by the camera on Thursday night and discovered the one below. It would appear that Orly is sharing the nest box with an alien. Ok so it's a really brave spider that may well have been eaten buy now but the photo looks freaky.

Labels: Camera, Photo, Tawny Owl

What of the Kestrels?

Wednesday, 15 April 2009

What of the kestrels, it was their box after all.

In 2008 a pair of Kestrels successfully used the nest box to raise three youngsters. When it became clear that the Tawny owls would evict them this year, I made a few repairs to an old nest box and placed it in a large oak tree close to the house.

Over the last couple of weeks the Kestrels have slowly taken ownership of the new box. Spending time in and around the box, whilst also mating near the nest.

If the Kestrels are as successful as last year, when they had 3 chicks fledged, then it will be a good year.

Photos below show the female kestrel in and around the next box.

Labels: Kestrel, Photo

Technical Issues!

Tuesday, 14 April 2009

19:20 - 14/04/09 - The live video and static images are not being updated at the moment. The software I was using to put the images online has stopped working this afternoon.

Currently looking for an alternative! Will get the pictures back up as soon as I can.

Labels: Camera, Technical, Video

Video Footage from Box

Monday, 13 April 2009

Orly is now sat on two eggs, it's highly unlikely that she will lay any more. The incubation period for Tawny owls is between 28-32 days normally, so we can expect to see the first one hatch around the 8th May.

Orly spends all day sat on the eggs at the back of the box. Once it's dark she becomes more active, preening and also leaving the box a few times a night for short periods. Yarly also stops by each night with food.

The video below is made from a series of images taken form the box last night and complied into a video.

More videos of the owls can be found on YouTube.

Labels: Tawny Owl, Video

Our Owls are Called - Orly & Yarly

Friday, 10 April 2009

Had a few suggestions for names for our two owls, some good, some bad. A friend pointed me to the "Internet Owls". As I'd also found the same on my travels across the information super highway and the fact I can't come up with anything better, Orly for the female & Yarly for the male it is.

More naming fun will hopefully occur when Orly & Yarly's chicks hatch.

Labels: Names, Owls, Tawny Owl

Second Egg Laid

The female laid her second egg some time in the early hours on the 8th April, around 72hrs after the first.

The female is now sitting on the eggs and hopefully we will see the first one hatch around the 8th May.

Female with 2 eggs

Labels: Egg, Photo, Tawny Owl

Tawny Lays First Egg.

Sunday, 5 April 2009

Great news, at around 5.19 this morning the female laid the first egg. Hopefully a few more will follow at intervals of up to 48hrs. Shortly after laying the egg she left the box and returned 40 minutes later. She has since been lying up at the back of the box, where I'd expect her to remain for the rest of the day.

I'll post more photos as and when she lays more eggs. The female should start brooding once the 2nd egg is layed, with the first hatching taking place around 30 days later.